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A Reminder of our own Poverty

Departed from Colossae, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna (Izmir)

Sometimes on pilgrimage, it is easy to overlook what is most important: Holy Mass. This is not intentional- it just happens. Mass is usually early in the morning, followed by a full day of traveling and site seeing. More than once, I’ve heard someone say, “That was this morning!?” when Mass is mentioned on the bus. Suffice to say, our days are jam packed with amazing experiences.

Group photo taken in front of a Roman bathhouse, in Sardis, one of the seven churches addressed in the book of Revelation.

With that said, Holy Mass this morning resonated with me throughout the day in a unique way. Fr. Dennis Kasule, our fearless leader this pilgrimage, preached on the Gospel from St. Luke on the poor widow’s offering (Lk 21:1-4). He invited us to consider how we can make an offering like the poor widow, from our poverty, not from our excesses. Throughout the trip, we often become more deeply aware of our own poverty our personal weaknesses. Some of us are tired, others are fighting colds (myself included), and some are simply struggling with the challenges that come with living in close proximity to 35 men. Fr. Kasule invited us to lay these struggles before the altar of the Lord in a few minutes of silence, and I felt the Spirit moving in our group profoundly.

Seminarian Mike Wojnarowski reading the letter to the Church in Philadelphia from the book of Revelation, while in Philadelphia

After Holy Mass, we left from Colossae to visit three of the Churches from the book of  Revelation. We saw the ruins of the churches of Philadelphia, Sardis, and Smyrna. Though little remains of some of these churches, it was a joy to read the relevant passages from Revelation at those sites. During our Midday Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, the antiphon, “I am poor, but the Lord takes care of me,” rang in my heart. The pilgrimage for me today was more spiritual than normal, and the biggest surprise had not come yet.

Ruins of what is left of the Church in Smyrna, modern day known as Izmir

Our final stop of the day was at the Cathedral of St. John in Izmir. This was the first active parish church we had visited in a week, and it felt like the Lord brought a breath of fresh air to the group. We spent about half an hour in the church, praying before the Blessed Sacrament and singing His praises during Evening Prayer. This was truly a gift, and a gentle reminder of our Lord’s loving presence at all times, especially when we feel our weaknesses most. The spirits in the group remain high as we are excited to visit Ephesus tomorrow!

Cathedral of St. John, located in the Archdiocese of Izmir, we were greeted by their seminarians upon walking in, they are apparently taught directly by their Bishop!

Know of our prayers for you. May God the Father bless you, and keep you close to His Son’s Most Sacred Heart.

-Luke Meyerhoff, Diocese of Wichita

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